ubuntu 13.10 performance for 1 GB machine

Question

I installed Ubuntu 13.10 to my desktop which has 1 GB main memory and AMD 64 bits CPU. It happens that the system freeze, applications not response sometimes and crashes a few times.

I just learn that 1 GB is minimum requirement for Ubuntu 64 bits. I just wonder if it is memory not enough that I better to increase to 2 GB to improve performance.

Your help and information is great appreciated,

Regards,

Inung

Answer 1

1. The minimum for 64bit Ubuntu is 768 MB of RAM memory.
2. Try increasing your swap memory.
3. I think you can use 32bit version, it would be better.

And one more tip: use Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.

Answer 2

If you have 1GB of RAM and 64-bit architecture, then I would suggest two things:

1. Use a 32-bit version of Ubuntu
2. Use either Xubuntu or Lubuntu. Whatever you do, with such hardware configuration stay away from the resource-hungry Unity.

And lastly, add a sufficient dose of swap. Anything above 2GB should work fine.

See also:

• What are the differences between 32-bit and 64-bit, and which should I choose?

Answer 3

Couple points:

• increase swap
• use openbox or blackbox destktop environments as super-light-weight alternatives (my ram usage with it right now is around 700 MB , no flash running)
• limit startup scripts, processes, etc.
• Use a usb as RAM: refer here or here